Examples Of Individualism In Fahrenheit 451

Individualism is something that has been present in every community around the world. The idea of individualism helps our societies function properly. If everyone was the same, and if uniqueness was not present, civilizations would begin to crumble. In Fahrenheit 451, society has been controlled so everyone’s identity is the same. A theme that can be found in the novel, Fahrenheit 451, is that society shapes and affects the individuality of many people, which can be seen through Mildred’s selfishness, Faber’s cowardice, and Captain Beatty’s unawareness towards the world around him. Mildred’s constant selfishness shows how society affects the way that individuals act. The government wants people to have a self-centered and egotistical approach
to their lives. If people like Mildred are so focused on themselves, they won’t realize that the government is corrupt and manipulative. If all the people in the community are only paying attention to themselves, the government can work behind their backs, unnoticed. As Montag and Mildred begin to read a book, she states, “’The favorite subject, Myself. I understand that one.’” (Bradbury 69) She has been taught to understand things like this, and influenced to act in this way. Society provides the people with all different forms of technology, like the Seashell radios and the wall sized TV’s. Since Mildred is so absorbed by the technology she is surrounded by, it causes her to be completely oblivious to the reality of the world she is living in. She is constantly spending time with her virtual “family,” which means she is taking Montag, her real family, for granted. People like Mildred, who live in their own little worlds and develop traits of selfishness, help prove the theme of society’s effects on individuality. Another character that proves the point that society affects people’s unique qualities is Faber and his cowardly ways.
Faber was aware of the changes that were happening in his community. He claimed that he was “one of the innocents who could have spoken up and out when no one would listen to the guilty.” (Bradbury 71) Unlike other the other people around him, Faber noticed that the government started to become more controlling. Though he witnessed the government starting to control people’s actions, Faber was too frightened and craven to stand up for himself. Later in Faber’s life, when he met Montag, he regretted not taking action against the corruption he saw. Once he realized Montag’s determination to confront the issues he sees, Faber felt guilty and disappointed in himself. Because of this guilt that Faber feels, he knew he could make up for his past mistakes by doing everything he could to assist Montag. Later, when he does begin to help Montag, his trait of cowardice shines through yet again. Instead of going out and physically taking action himself, Faber sat in his home, where he was safe. He could communicate with Montag through his device, called the Green Bullet, which he designed while he was in hiding. He expected Montag to go out and do the dirty work, while he stays in his home, shielded from harm. Faber’s cowardice and the realization of his mistakes help him convey the theme of society’s effects on
individuals. Lastly, Captain Beatty demonstrates the theme of society influencing and changing characteristics that make a person who they are. He was easily brainwashed to believe things the government wanted him to believe, like how books are useless and dangerous. Because of his job as a firefighter, the government and society could easily persuade him to believe false things. The government took away his own thoughts and beliefs and replaced it with what they thought everyone should think. Beatty does not understand that “individualism has been an enormous success in encouraging ordinary people to realize their potential and their inner depths.” (Koch) This means that Beatty could not recognize that individualism is a great gift that he should cherish. Since he is almost identical to the people around him, Beatty cannot comprehend his worth or what good he is capable of doing. Everyone’s individuality, including Beatty’s, was stripped away by the influence of the government. Beatty was appointed to be the captain of a team of firefighters, but his individuality was overcome by the power he was given. Everyone who had a higher status or position, like Beatty, would have to set a good example, even though this meant giving up their diverse qualities. By conforming to the standards society set for him, Beatty lost his individuality which proves the theme of society changing people. The importance of individuality is very evident when it is displayed by these characters. Through their mistakes and wrongdoings, it is clear to see that one must stay true to themselves and not let their environment change who they are inside. Without unique traits, people would be the exact same, which never leads to a positive end result. Individualism is a critical part to success in any community, and it will always be this way. As seen through Mildred, Faber, and Beatty, society should not have any effect on a person’s individuality and they should always be who they are.